辽宁省八种兰科植物根内生真菌多样性

兰科植物的生存强烈依赖菌根真菌,研究兰科菌根真菌对兰科植物的保护有重要作用。本研究以辽宁省的无柱兰(Amitostigma gracile)、二叶舌唇兰(Platanthera chlorantha)、小斑叶兰(Goodyera repens)、蜻蜓兰(Tulotis fuscescens)、山兰(Oreorchis patens)、羊耳蒜(Liparis japonica)、长苞头蕊兰(Cephalanthera longibracteata)和绶草(Spiranthes sinensis) 8种属于极小种群的野生兰科植物为例,利用第二代测序技术对其根内生真菌多样性进行了研究。结果表明:无柱兰、二叶舌唇兰、小斑叶兰和山兰都偏好与角担菌科(Ceratobasidiaceae)真菌共生,羊耳蒜偏好与胶膜菌科(Tulasnellaceae)真菌共生;长苞头蕊兰主要与革菌科(Thelephoraceae)和蜡壳耳科(Sebacinaceae)真菌共生;绶草不仅能与丝核菌属(Rhizoctonia)真菌共生,还能与蜡壳耳科真菌共生;同种兰科植物的不同植株在同一生境下所选择的菌根真菌有差异,而同一地点的不同兰科植物的菌根真菌群落各不相同。由此可见,兰科植物根中菌根真菌的组成并非完全受植物自身控制,但主要菌根真菌仍取决于兰科植物的选择;这8种兰科植物根中的真菌绝大多数为非菌根真菌,而菌根真菌的丰度通常很低,这可能是辽宁地区兰科植物稀少的原因之一。     

不同海拔的三种杓兰属植物与菌根真菌群落组成相关性

本研究采集了四川黄龙沟沿海拔梯度3 170-3 400m上4个不同杓兰居群中3种杓兰植物根,利用克隆文库方法获得菌根真菌ITS序列,研究同一栖息地（黄龙沟）不同海拔梯度和不同杓兰对菌根真菌多样性和群落结构的影响。共得到18个可操作分类单元（OTU）,其中14个OTU隶属胶膜菌科Tulasnellaceae,为优势类群（99.6%）;2个OTU隶属腊壳菌科Sebacinaceae,2个OTU隶属亡革菌科Thelephoraceae。随着海拔升高,西藏杓兰菌根真菌多样性减少,而黄花杓兰和无苞杓兰没有明显变化;海拔对3种杓兰菌根真菌群落结构均无显著影响。3种杓兰之间菌根真菌群落结构差异显著且指示物种互不相同,说明在同一栖息地,杓兰对菌根真菌的偏好性显著影响其菌根真菌群落结构。这些研究结果利于了解环境变化对杓兰属植物菌根真菌区系组成的影响,为进一步探索菌根真菌与杓兰属植物的互作机制奠定基础。     

长茎羊耳蒜菌根真菌类群的研究

研究了广西雅长自然保护区和云南西双版纳自然保护区共3个产地的兰科植物羊耳蒜属长茎羊耳蒜Liparis viridiflora的菌根真菌类群区系组成.根内菌根真菌的核糖体基因内转录间隔区序列(rDNA-ITS)采用PCR技术扩增,克隆,测序并构建系统发育树.结果表明,长茎羊耳蒜根内所检测到的真菌大部分为胶膜菌科Tulasnellaceae真菌;根据序列相似性和系统发育分析,所有真菌可归为12个可操作分类单元(OTU),其中胶膜菌科有7个OTUs,达到总数的90.6%,为优势类群.菌根真菌多样性及区系组成在3个不同产地样本之间存在一定的差异;菌根真菌可能和兰科植物的生境适应性存在一定的相关性.     

三种杓兰根相关真菌多样性和生态功能

【背景】除了菌根真菌(Orchid mycorrhizal fungi,OrMF)外,兰科植物根中还有其它内生真菌,称为根相关真菌(Root-associated fungi,RAF)。【目的】采用分离培养的方法获得同一栖息地针叶林和灌木林两种不同生境西藏杓兰、黄花杓兰和无苞杓兰的RAF菌株,研究其真菌谱系、多样性和生态功能结构。【方法】从杓兰根碎屑中分离RAF,通过总DNA提取、PCR扩增及测序得到ITS(Internaltranscribedspacer)序列;进行系统发育和多样性分析,并通过NCBI数据库比对得到相似性最高序列的注释信息来分析RAF生态学特性。【结果】共分离得到278株RAF,25种OTU类型,包括23个子囊菌门OTU,2个毛霉菌门OTU。RAF物种丰富度分析发现西藏杓兰的较黄花杓兰高,不同生境没有显著差异;不同杓兰物种较不同生境的RAF群落分化程度高。生态功能分析显示25个OTU包括共生型、腐生型和致病型3种营养型,以及外生菌根菌群、植物病原菌群、内生真菌群、动物病原菌群、真菌寄生菌群、杜鹃花类菌根群、未定义的腐生菌群和不确定型8种共位群。【结论】阐明不同生境采集的不同杓兰中RAF的分布特点和生态功能,为未来研究RAF与杓兰属植物的共生关系奠定基础。     

云南杓兰菌根真菌组成及共生关系研究

杓兰属(Cypripedium)植物因具有较高的观赏和药用价值而长期被过度采集,已成为濒危植物。利用菌根技术进行杓兰属植物的保护和人工栽培,需要获得其可培养的菌根真菌。该研究采用分离培养法和共生回接方法,研究了云南杓兰菌根真菌菌群组成及其共生关系。结果表明:(1)从10株云南杓兰300块毛根组织中分离获得126株内生真菌,归属为3个菌属,分别是胶膜菌属(Tulasnella)73株、伏革菌属(Corticium)36株、角担菌属(Ceratobasidium)17株。其中,胶膜菌属为优势菌群,占总菌株数量的57.94%。(2)6株供试菌株中,4株菌株可显著缩短种子的萌发过程,6株菌株对幼苗的生长有显著的促进作用。(3)从中筛选获得一株CY-18高效促生真菌,对云南杓兰种子共生萌发和幼苗共生生长有极显著的促进作用。该研究结果为更好地利用菌根技术进行杓兰属植物资源的保护与可持续利用奠定了基础。     

广西喀斯特地区毛唇芋兰根内与根际土壤真菌群落组成分析

为探索兰科(Orchidaceae)植物毛唇芋兰(Nervilia fordii)根内和根际土壤真菌群落多样性，该研究采用Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术，分析了大新(DX)和龙州(LZ)两个样地(简称两地)毛唇芋兰根内和根际土壤的真菌组成。结果表明：(1)两地的毛唇芋兰根内和根际土壤真菌多样性很丰富，根际土壤真菌多样性均高于根内，主根的真菌多样性高于走茎。(2)通过测序共获得有效序列118 040条，207个可操作分类单元(OTUs)涉及8门19纲42目86科123属。(3)担子菌门(Basidiomycota)真菌是两地毛唇芋兰根内真菌的共同优势菌群，涉及胶膜菌科(Tulasnellaceae)、Trimorphomycetaceae、角担菌科(Ceratobasidiaceae)、马拉色菌科(Malasseziaceae)和小皮伞科(Marasmiaceae)等，其中优势科和优势属分别是胶膜菌科(75%)和瘤菌根菌属(Epulorhiza)(56%),而土壤中的优势菌属则是镰刀菌属(Fusarium)。综上认为，毛唇芋兰根内与根际土壤中的优势菌群既差异显著也存在一些共同...     

药用植物绶草（兰科）的菌根真菌群落组成分析

兰科菌根真菌（OMF）被认为是影响兰科植物物种丰度和分布的一个重要因素。对广域分布兰科植物的菌根区系进行研究有助于人们更深入地了解兰科植物分布格局的形成机制。本研究以我国广域分布的兰科药用植物绶草Spiranthes sinensis为材料,采用Illumina Miseq高通量测序技术对北京、上海、江西、广西、云南、甘肃6个样地的绶草菌根区系进行了研究。一共检测到51个OMF分类单元,其中角担菌科Ceratobasidiaceae真菌是绶草菌根的主要类群,约有1/3的角担菌科种类存在于所有的样本中,说明该类真菌亦广域分布;胶膜菌科Tulasnellaceae、肉丝耳科Serendipitaceae、红菇科Russulaceae、革菌科Thelephoraceae、口蘑科Tricholomataceae等真菌亦有发现,只是其相对多度较低,且较多种类表现出明显的地域特异性;6个样地的绶草菌根区系组成存在显著性差异,且这种差异与地理距离之间并未表现出明显的相关性,暗示菌根区系组成更多受生境因素的影响。本研究结果可为进一步采用菌根技术实现该类兰科药用植物的种质保育及栽培生产提供理论参考。     

兰科植物共生胶膜菌:分类学、多样性、专一性和适应性

兰科植物与丝核菌类真菌,包括胶膜菌科、角担菌科和蜡壳菌科等形成菌根共生体。胶膜菌科真菌作为最广泛分布的共生菌根真菌,表现出与兰科植物的协同进化与密切关系。除了形态学特征分析和比较外,分子技术促进了兰科植物胶膜菌的分类学和多样性研究。兰科植物与胶膜菌的特异性可能限制兰科植物的分布和移栽后的生存能力,但有些兰科植物与胶膜菌的共生关系会因为地理分布或环境变化进行调整,使植物更好地生存,这种适应性为实现无菌苗菌根化来促进兰科植物的迁地保护或繁殖提供可能。本文综述了兰科植物共生菌根真菌胶膜菌在分类学、多样性、特异性和适应性等方面的研究。     

四川黄龙沟优势兰科植物菌根真菌多样性及其季节变化

在自然条件下,兰科菌根真菌对兰花的种子萌发和植株生长都是必不可少的。为了解高原兰科植物菌根真菌的多样性状况及其季节性变化规律,选取了四川黄龙沟的两种生境中生长的8种优势兰科植物,分别于植株的萌芽期(4月份)、生长期(7月份)和果期(9月份)采集营养根进行菌根真菌的多样性研究。其中,黄花杓兰(Cypripedium flavum)、少花鹤顶兰(Phaiusdelavayi)、二叶匍茎兰(Galearis diantha)和广布小蝶兰(Ponerorchis chusua)分布在开阔生境;筒距兰(Tipularia szechuanica)、小花舌唇兰(Platanthera minutiflora)、珊瑚兰(Corallorhiza trifida)和尖唇鸟巢兰(Neottia acuminate)则分布在密林生境。通过对分离所得的50个菌株进行形态观察和ITS序列测定相结合的鉴定,共获得菌根真菌41种。对担子菌和子囊菌分别进行的系统发育树构建结果显示,子囊菌为优势种类(35种),以柔膜菌目(Helotiales)、炭角菌目(Xylariales)和肉座菌目(Hypocreales)内的种类为主,担子菌则以胶膜菌(Tulasnellaceaesp.)为主。在8种兰科植物中,二叶匐茎兰表现出极高的专一性,其菌根真菌均属于Hypocrea。其余兰科植物的菌根真菌分别属于不同的科,专一性相对较低。物种丰富度和Simpson多样性指数分析结果表明,密林生境的兰科植物的菌根真菌多样性在各生长季节基本高于开阔生境。此外,两种生境的优势兰科植物的菌根真菌物种多样性随生长季节转变所呈现的变化规律是相似的:萌发期和生长期的多样性均较高,峰值出现在生长期,到果期时则大幅下降。这与高原兰科植物的生长特性及营养供求规律基本相符。     

管叶槽舌兰新鲜及硅胶干燥根样内生菌多样性研究

管叶槽舌兰(Holcoglossum kimballianum)是一种珍稀濒危兰科植物,其野生种群亟需保护。内生菌对兰科植物的生长发育至关重要,为评估管叶槽舌兰内生菌的多样性、分析采样方式对其内生菌的影响,该文采用高通量测序技术对迁地保育状态下新鲜与硅胶干燥的管叶槽舌兰根内生菌进行研究。结果表明:(1)新鲜及干燥管叶槽舌兰根内生菌物种组成明显不同,管叶槽舌兰内生真菌注释到6门46科51属,内生细菌注释到15门105科178属; 干燥后管叶槽舌兰根内生真菌注释到6门88科116属,内生细菌注释到21门154科336属。(2)迁地保育状态的管叶槽舌兰根样内生菌具有丰富的多样性,并且内生细菌群落丰富度和多样性远比内生真菌群落高; 经硅胶干燥后,内生真菌α多样性指数升高、β多样性指数降低,而内生细菌的α多样性指数降低、β多样性指数则升高。(3)差异显著性真菌黄盖小脆柄菇(Psathyrella candolleana)和刺盘孢属(Colletotrichum)的C. tofieldiae只存在于新鲜根样中,新鲜管叶槽舌兰差异显著性细菌是马赛菌属(Massilia),干燥根样中差异显著性细菌类群包括拜叶林克氏菌科(Beijerinckiaceae)、黄色杆菌科(Xanthobacteraceae)及慢生根瘤菌属(Bradyrhizobium)。(4)共发生网络分析显示,经干燥后管叶槽舌兰根样内生菌群落中占互作主导地位的优势物种和互作模式都发生了改变。综上认为,不同采样处理会影响管叶槽舌兰根内生菌的群落结构,在研究兰科植物根样内生菌时宜使用新鲜的根样。该研究结果为管叶槽舌兰野生种群保护及人工栽培提供了内生菌数据基础,也为兰科植物内生微生物采样方法提供了参考。     

Molecular identifications uncover diverse fungal symbionts of Pleione (Orchidaceae)

Fungal mutualisms are essential for the evolution and diversification of Orchidaceae, yet the fungal symbionts of Pleione orchids are poorly understood because molecular data are unavailable for this genus. Based on ITS-rDNA sequencing for mycobionts of 15 Pleione species (both wild and cultivated plants were included), we conducted phylogenetic analyses for the most dominant mycobionts, and compared the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of mycorrhizal fungi among species within Pleione. Tulasnellaceae, Ceratobasidiaceae, Serendipitaceae (Sebacinales), Atractiellales, and Auriculariales were reported as putative mycobionts of Pleione. In particular, the mycorrhizal associations between subtropical orchids and Atractiellales have not been observed before. For the dominant mycobionts in the roots of Pleione and its related genera, Bletilla and Coelogyne, we detected no fungal OTU that was shared. Within Pleione, species with a sympatric distribution showed preferences for different fungi. Epiphytic and lithophytic individuals of Pleione albiflora shared OTUs of Tulasnellaceae but harbored different OTUs of Sebacinales, indicating some degree of fungal specificity toward certain habitats. These findings provide new insights into the ecological adaptation and evolution of orchids, and will contribute to the conservation and utilization of species resources.     

The impact of life form on the architecture of orchid mycorrhizal networks in tropical forest

Understanding the processes that determine the architecture of interaction networks represents a major challenge in ecology and evolutionary biology. One of the most important interactions involving plants is the interaction between plants and mycorrhizal fungi. While there is a mounting body of research that has studied the architecture of plant–fungus interaction networks, less is known about the potential factors that drive network architecture. In this study, we described the architecture of the network of interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and 44 orchid species that represented different life forms and co‐occurred in tropical forest and assessed the relative importance of ecological, evolutionary and co‐evolutionary mechanisms determining network architecture. We found 87 different fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs), most of which were members of the Tulasnellaceae. Most orchid species associated with multiple fungi simultaneously, indicating that extreme host selectivity was rare. However, an increasing specificity towards Tulasnellaceae fungal associates from terrestrial to epiphytic and lithophytic orchids was observed. The network of interactions showed an association pattern that was significantly modular (M = 0.7389, M_random = 0.6998) and nested (NODF = 5.53, p < 0.05). Terrestrial orchids had almost no links to modules containing epiphytic or lithophytic orchids, while modules containing epiphytic orchids also contained lithophytic orchids. Within each life form several modules were observed, suggesting that the processes that organize orchid–fungus interactions are independent of life form. The overall phylogenetic signal for both partners in the interaction network was very weak. Overall, these results indicate that tropical orchids associate with a wide number of mycorrhizal fungi and that ecological rather than phylogenetic constraints determine network architecture.     

Variation in Mycorrhizal Associations with Tulasnelloid Fungi among Populations of Five Dactylorhiza Species

Background

Orchid species rely on mycorrhizal symbioses with fungi to complete their life cycle. Although there is mounting evidence that orchids can associate with several fungi from different clades or families, less is known about the actual geographic distribution of these fungi and how they are distributed across different orchid species within a genus.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We investigated among-population variation in mycorrhizal associations in five species of the genus Dactylorhiza (D. fuchsii, D. incarnata, D. maculata, D. majalis and D. praetermissa) using culture-independent detection and identification techniques enabling simultaneous detection of multiple fungi in a single individual. Mycorrhizal specificity, determined as the number of fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and phylogenetic diversity of fungi were compared between species, whereas discriminant analysis was used to compare mycorrhizal spectra across populations and species. Based on a 95% cut-off value in internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence similarity, a total of ten OTUs was identified belonging to three different clades within the Tulasnellaceae. Most OTUs were found in two or more Dactylorhiza species, and some of them were common and widespread, occurring in more than 50% of all sampled populations. Each orchid species associated with at least five different OTUs, whereas most individuals also associated with two or more fungal OTUs at the same time. Phylogenetic diversity, corrected for species richness, was not significantly different between species, confirming the generality of the observed orchid mycorrhizal associations.

Conclusions/Significance

We found that the investigated species of the genus Dactylorhiza associated with a wide range of fungal OTUs from the Tulasnellaceae, some of which were widespread and common. These findings challenge the idea that orchid rarity is related to mycorrhizal specificity and fungal distribution.     

Continent-wide distribution in mycorrhizal fungi: implications for the biogeography of specialized orchids

Background and Aims Although mycorrhizal associations are predominantly generalist, specialized mycorrhizal interactions have repeatedly evolved in Orchidaceae, suggesting a potential role in limiting the geographical range of orchid species. In particular, the Australian orchid flora is characterized by high mycorrhizal specialization and short-range endemism. This study investigates the mycorrhizae used by Pheladenia deformis, one of the few orchid species to occur across the Australian continent. Specifically, it examines whether P. deformis is widely distributed through using multiple fungi or a single widespread fungus, and if the fungi used by Australian orchids are widespread at the continental scale.Methods Mycorrhizal fungi were isolated from P. deformis populations in eastern and western Australia. Germination trials using seed from western Australian populations were conducted to test if these fungi supported germination, regardless of the region in which they occurred. A phylogenetic analysis was undertaken using isolates from P. deformis and other Australian orchids that use the genus Sebacina to test for the occurrence of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in eastern and western Australia.Key Results With the exception of one isolate, all fungi used by P. deformis belonged to a single fungal OTU of Sebacina. Fungal isolates from eastern and western Australia supported germination of P. deformis. A phylogenetic analysis of Australian Sebacina revealed that all of the OTUs that had been well sampled occurred on both sides of the continent.Conclusions The use of a widespread fungal OTU in P. deformis enables a broad distribution despite high mycorrhizal specificity. The Sebacina OTUs that are used by a range of Australian orchids occur on both sides of the continent, demonstrating that the short-range endemism prevalent in the orchids is not driven by fungal species with narrow distributions. Alternatively, a combination of specific edaphic requirements and a high incidence of pollination by sexual deception may explain biogeographic patterns in southern Australian orchids.     

Many broadly-shared mycobionts characterize mycorrhizal interactions of two coexisting epiphytic orchids in a high elevation tropical forest

Interspecific interactions play an important role in community assembly. A basic ecological question is whether interactions are specialized (one to one) or generalized (many to many). Specialization of interactions should ideally be assessed across several populations because species could be specialists at a particular site but generalists when several sites are considered. Mycorrhizal interactions are fundamental for orchid life and distribution, but their level of specialization is still under debate. To understand the extent to which epiphytic orchids are specialists in their mycorrhizal interactions, we studied the richness and phylogenetic structure of mycobionts across different sites, and the similarity in the mycobiont composition between coexisting orchid species. We sequenced the nrDNA ITS2 region and explored the mycobiont communities associated with two epiphytic orchids, Epidendrum marsupiale and Cyrtochilum pardinum, at two elevations within two sites in Ecuador. We found 108 OTUs belonging to Serendipitaceae (66), Ceratobasidiaceae (22), Atractiellales (11) and Tulasnellaceae (9). Orchids at the highest elevations hosted the highest OTU richness. The two orchid species shared a high percentage of mycobionts between all sites. No phylogenetic structure within orchid mycorrhizal communities was found at any sites or elevations. Our results indicate that the studied orchids are generalists and share a broad group of mycobionts (16 OTUs) with no apparent niche segregation within or between sites.     

Relationships between orchid and fungal biodiversity: Mycorrhizal preferences in Mediterranean orchids

Orchidaceae is one of the most species-rich angiosperm families, and all orchids are fully dependent on fungi for their seed germination and their life cycle. The level of specificity of the association between orchid species and fungi can be related to the number of co-occurring orchid species. To investigate orchid mycorrhizal associations in adult-photosynthetic orchids, 16 Mediterranean orchid species belonging to 4 genera (Anacamptis, Ophrys, Orchis, and Serapias) at 11 different sites were subjected to DNA-based analysis. Eighteen operational taxonomic units representing two fungal families, Tulasnellaceae and Ceratobasidiaceae, were identified. All examined orchid species associated with different mycorrhizal fungi. Interestingly, there was a positive correlation between number of orchid species and number of mycorrhizal. Monospecific populations showed a lower number of fungi, while sympatric populations had a higher number of mycorrhizal fungi. Our results showed that Mediterranean orchid species associated with a higher number of mycorrhizal fungi confirming as photosynthetic orchids are typically generalists toward mycorrhizal fungi. Thus, photosynthetic orchids exhibit low specificity for fungal symbionts showing the potential for opportunistic associations with diverse fungi reducing competition for nutrient. We suggest that these characteristics could confer symbiotic assurance particularly in habitat with resource limitations or prone to stressful conditions.     

A diverse fungal community associated with Pseudorchis albida (Orchidaceae) roots

In addition to orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OrMF), the roots of orchids harbour plant fungal endophytes termed root-associated fungi (RAF). In the present study, the endangered photosynthetic orchid Pseudorchis albida was screened for OrMF and RAF using culture-dependent (isolations from root sections and pelotons) and culture-independent (cloning from root sections) techniques. The efficiency of the different approaches for detecting the fungi and the effect of the sampling season (summer or autumn) were evaluated. In total, 66 distinct OTUs of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal fungi were found, which, to our knowledge, is the highest diversity of RAF that has yet been detected in a single orchid species. The OrMF community was dominated by Tulasnella species, which were mainly detected by isolation from pelotons or cloning from root sections. The roots and tubers showed higher mycorrhizal colonization in summer, corroborating the frequent reports of Tulasnella from pelotons in this season. In contrast, two helotialean fungi, Varicosporium elodeae and Leohumicola sp., the latter of which was repeatedly isolated from pelotons, were significantly more abundant in the autumn.     

Cryptostylis species (Orchidaceae) from a broad geographic and habitat range associate with a phylogenetically narrow lineage of Tulasnellaceae fungi

While many Australian terrestrial orchids have highly specialized mycorrhizal associations, we tested the hypothesis that the geographically widespread orchid genus Cryptostylis associates with a diversity of fungal species. Using fungal isolation and molecular approaches, we investigated the mycorrhizal associations of five Australian Cryptostylis species (27 sites sampled) and included limited sampling from three Asiatic Cryptostylis species (two sites). Like related orchid genera, Tulasnellaceae formed the main fungal associations of the Cryptostylis species we sampled, although some ectomycorrhizal, ericoid and saprotrophic fungi were detected infrequently. Each species of Australian Cryptostylis associated with three to seven Tulasnella Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), except for C. hunteriana where only one Tulasnella OTU was detected. In total, eleven Tulasnella OTUs associated with Australian Cryptostylis. The Asiatic Cryptostylis associated with four different Tulasnella OTUs belonging to the same lineage as the Australian species. While five Tulasnella OTUs (T. australiensis, T. prima, T. warcupii, T. densa, and T. punctata) were used by multiple species of Australian Cryptostylis, the most commonly used OTU differed between orchid species. The association with different Tulasnella fungi by Cryptostylis species co-occurring at the same site suggests that in any given environmental condition, Cryptostylis species may intrinsically favour different fungal OTUs.     

High diversity of root-associated fungi isolated from three epiphytic orchids in southern Ecuador

Knowledge of fungal root-associates is essential for effective conservation of tropical epiphytic orchids. We investigated the diversity of root-associated fungi of Cyrtochilum myanthum, Scaphyglottis punctulata and Stelis superbiens from a tropical mountain rainforest in southern Ecuador, using a culture dependent approach. We identified 115 fungal isolates, corresponding to 49 fungal OTUs, based on sequences of the nrDNA ITS and partial 28S region. Members of Ascomycota were unambiguously dominant (37 OTUs), including Trichoderma sp. as the most frequent taxon. Members of Basidiomycota (Agaricales and Polyporales) and Mucoromycota (Umbelopsidales and Mortierellales) were also identified. Four potential mycorrhizal OTUs of Tulasnellaceae and Ceratobasidiaceae were isolated from C. myanthum and S. superbiens. Fungal community composition was examined using Sørensen and Jaccard indices of similarity. Alfa diversity was significantly different between C. myanthum and S. superbiens. No difference in beta diversity of the fungal communities between the 3 orchid species and the collecting sites was detected. The study revealed a high diversity of fungi associated with orchid roots. Our results contribute to a better understanding of specific relationships between epiphytic orchids and their root-associated fungi.